Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-06-10
School Commencement.

Reported for the Staunton VINDIcATogs-11->
MoTEETI,s CREEK, June 1.-the writer
of this enjoyed the pleasure, on last Friday,
of attending the closing exercises of Miss
Webbs select school, which took place at
the residence of Mr.. David F. Miller,
where Miss Webb has been teaching since
last October.
AS anaccount of these exercises, if it has
no other merit, may prove gratifying to the
participants (most of whom are readers of
your valuable paper) and bespeaking in
advance lenient criticism from said par
Elephants, have written the subjoined ac-
count. In doing so I have aimed to give
the leading features of the programme,
without unnecessary comment OF ungen-
erous personality, and if I have made any
important omissions, I hope the parties
Immediately interested will attribute it to
lnadvertency, rather than Intentional neg
lect.
The exercises were opened by the entire
1OAAoOA AiAesA
March, rendered by Miss Webb, and being
drawn up in line, all united in singing
Beautiful Spring." Miss Webb playing
accompaniment. After which "Our Coun.
try, Past and Present." was acclaimed in
good style by Master Clarence Weaver. An
essay, entitled "The Future Men and Wo-
men of America" was then read in clear,
distinct voice, by Miss Ella Beard. ssBoys."
was recited in an animated manner and
with entire correctness, by Master Greer
Smiley. The dialogue, "Spring Flowers, )"
was quite entertaining and well rendered.
by little Misses Smiley, George, Miller,
and Master Smiley. ''Caudle Lecture as
delivered by Miss Sa1lie to Master Ed.
Miller, afforded considerable amusement
(NoTE.-I warn Miss Sallie future lord
and master, whoever he may be, that she
knows how to deliver lecture with vim
and animation. Ver6asa'a sap. "Cold Water.n
as acclaimed by Master Argyle Smiley,
would have pleased the most straight laced
Prohibitionist. Misses Fulton, Beard.
Miller, and Berry, in appropriate costumes,
advocated in rhythmic recitation the claims
of "The Four Se.so u.s." An essay. entitled
olive for Something" was read by Miss
Ella Fulton, with distinct enunciation and
correct infection of voice. The reading of
the select piece Putting down car win
dow for a pretty GIRL" caused the writer to
wish that the next time he travels on the
cars some pretty girl would ask him to put
down the window for her, in order that he
may have an opportunity to demonstrate
to her how gracefully this Office can be
performed by a self:possessed man. The
bachelors Sale" as recited by Miss Car
RE Beard, elected much applause from
one or two of the fraternity who were pres
ent. In her rendition of ''The Moneyless
man." Miss Webb evinced perfect self-pos-
session, and thoro Ugh acquaintance with
the rules of elocution. The reading of the
school paper ycleped "The Cleaner" by
its sprightly editress, Miss Carrie Beard,
afforded instruction as we'll as amusement.
All the contributed articles were very good
One by Master Clarence Weaver, in which
the writer, making liberal drafts on vivid
imagination, depicts IN glowing terms the
supposltlous future of Newport" as the
out-growth of mythical gold mine, on
the property of Mr.. Amos Row. Another
article on Books" by Miss Carrie Smiley.
wherein the youthful authoress makes a
correct discrimination between good books
and bad, portraying the salutary influence
e1erted by the former, and the pernicious
effects produced by the latter.
ihere were other articles, the titles of
which have been forgotten. The locals
were also well gotten up, and the CLIPPINGS
judiciously selected. If the V1Np1oAToR
man had been present he could have got
ten several aortaakles, which if utilized
would have been OF service to him in the
future conduct of his paper. The "Vale-
dictory" was we'll delivered by Master
Willie Smiley. The exercises closed with
singing Glad Vacation, /" which was Joined
in heartily by the entire school. At inter
walls during the exercises, both vocal and
instrumental music wasrendered bv Misses
Webb. Beard, Fulton, Berry, and Miller.
Altogether the occasion was a very eniov-
able one and seemed to be appreciated by
all present. The occasion was graced not
only by the presence of heads of families,
but also by the youth and beauty of New
port and vicinity. A profusion of flowers,
whose grateful fragrance permeated appre-
clatlve olfactories, contributed in no small
degree to enhance the pleasure of the &C.
caslon. At the close of each rec1t ation,
dialogue, musical performance, &C., beau
tltul bouquets were literally showered upon
the blushlng actresses, and smiling actors
The fair sex is often compared to flowers,
but IN my estimation, such comparison
is always unfavorable to the flowers.
Talk about your heliotropes and hya-
cinths, rave over petunias and portulacas,
go into obstacles over tuberoses and tulips.
but the writer saw in that assembly more
than one fair damsel, whose two lips were
far sweeter than any sfower. that ever
opened its blushing petals in Flora's king
dom.
[ cannot close this imperfect account
without paying we'll -deserved, if feeble,
tribute to the qualifications of Miss Webb,
as teacher. The thorough manner in
which the pupils were drilled, not only in
matter, but also in style. The eclat with
which they acquitted themselves, together
with information derived from patrons of
the school, as data upon which to base an
opinion, warrants the assertion that Miss
Webb is q most competent and efficient in
structress, and parents who feel an interest
in the correct training of their children
should esteem themselves fortunate in Sc
curing her services as teacher.